Stern board

ABSTRACT

There is herein disclosed an accessory for an outboard motorboat comprising a generally flat sheetlike board having hinges symmetrically positioned at its opposite ends connecting it abaft a boat transom for upward pivotal movement, the board being bent to an arcuate configuration so as to bow away from the transom between its ends and protectively enclose a motor mounted on the transom.

KR 3.581.100 SR United States Patent Inventor Harold A. Storch Birmingham, Mich. Appl. No. 822,844 Filed Apr. 14, 1969 Patented June 1, 1971 Assignee Mayfair Engineering Company Birmingham, Mich.

STERN BOARD 13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 114/219, 115/05, 114/235WS Int. Cl B6311 59/02 Field of Search 114/219, 14, 235 WS; 293/73 I wag wax [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 959,299 5/1910 Boydell 114/219 2,974,625 3/1961 Lang 114/235 3,336,894 8/1967 Eisner 1 14/235 Primary ExaminerAndrew H. Farrell Attorney-Harness, Dickey and Pierce ABSTRACT: There is herein disclosed an accessory for an outboard motorboat comprising a generally flat sheetlike board having hinges symmetrically positioned at its opposite ends connecting it abaft a boat transom for upward pivotal movement, the board being bent to an arcuate configuration so as to bow away from the transom between its ends and protectively enclose a motor mounted on the transom.

PATENTEDJUN HSYI 358L700 sum 1 .[IF 2 fir/7 PATENTEU JUN l l97l SHEET 2 OF 2 STERN BOARD SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention to provide a flat, flexible board which is contoured and hingedly connected abaft the transom of an outboard motorboat such that when said boat is operating in rough water conditions, the board will dam or obstruct the approaching water to prevent its ingress into either the motor well or the interior of the boat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel structure of the above character which will serve as bumper means to protectively enclose a motor and prevent damage to same while the boat is moored or berthed.

These and other objects are accomplished by a construction which is light, flexible and easily mounted and maintained. The structure comprises a thin sheetlike board having a pair of hinges mounted on the opposite sides thereof. The board is shipped in a flat orientation and is of sufficient length that, when contoured, will conform to the transom width of most conventional motor boats. The stern board is characterized as having a greater length than height, and a greater height than thickness.

A pair of gate-type hinges are mounted laterally and abaft of the boat transom. The hinges comprise a primary plate which is connected directly to the transom and is of such a configuration that it will easily conform to any rake angle taken by the transom. A pair of secondary swivel units are connected to the stern board by any suitable means such that their placement is in mirror image fashion. The board is bowed or arcuately shaped in order to protectively encircle the motor. The secondary swivel units are swingably attached to the primary plate so as to provide for free oscillatory up and down movement.

The board may be locked in a downward position by a locking member affixed to the innermost portion of the hinge. This may be particularly desirable when the boat is moored or berthed in a harbor. When the locking member is unlocked, however, the stern board will freely oscillate in an upward and downward direction in response to similar motion on the part of the motor should it either strike an underwater object or be manually raised to orient it for highway travel. The stem board may also be maintained in a partially upward orientation of generally obtuse angle dimensions by a special bracket member one end of which locks threadably into the secondary swivel unit and the other end threadably engaging the primary plate.

The stem board serves as means by which waves may be knocked down and broken up, particularly in rough water conditions in which there is a following sea, to prevent their ingress into either the motor well or the interior of the boat. Additionally, when the boat is either moored or berthed, the board serves as a protective bumper should, during high winds or choppy seas, other boats inadvertently strike the motor. The stern board has an additional advantage in that it can accommodate a nameplate which may be mounted thereon as well as serving as a point of attachment for at least one eyelet member which can be used either in towing operations or when pulling one or more water skiers.

The board is particularly noted for its light, flexible, and yet strong and protective quantities. Besides its versatility, it is easily manufactured, shipped and installed. The hinge, on the other hand, is particularly suitable because of the ease with which it can be machined and its general reliability in operation.

The various objects and advantages, and the novel details of construction of one commercially practical embodiment of the invention, will become apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention showing the board of the present invention hingedly connected the transom of the boat;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the board comprising the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the hinge assembly looking in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 2 and partially broken away so as to depict the locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is another view of the hinge assembly looking in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the stern board in its partial upwardly resting position above the motor shaft;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing another position of the parts;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view depicting the stern board in its uppermost resting position above the motor;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the board showing the attachment of an eyelet member; and

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the eyelet member looking in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a stern board 10 of sheetlike material, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown in operative association with an outboard motorboat 12 (only partially shown). An outboard motor 14, of any conventional type, is mounted directly onto the transom 16 of the boat 12. The board 10, on the other hand, is mounted laterally and abaft of the transom 16 through the intermediary of symmetrically mounted hinges, generally designated by the reference characters l8, 19.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the board 10, comprising the essence of the present invention, is shown in a generally flat orientation. The board is characterized as having a greater length than height and a greater height than thickness. The top of the board 20 lies generally in the same linear plane throughout its length, while the bottom 22 is beveled or slanted inwardly at points 24 and 26 terminating at a point interjacent and medially of the edges 28 and 30. The spaces formed by the inward draft of the bottom 22 of the board I0 are designed to prevent damage to the board when the boat is banked in either a right or left turn. Although the board may be of any suitable material, tempered fiberboard has proved to be most advantageous because it exhibits the light but flexibly strong qualities needed to facilitate is effective, yet economical use.

Hinges l8, 19, to be more fully described hereinafter, accompany the shipment of the board 10 and are attached thereto by any suitable fastening means 31. The board of the present invention may be mounted abaft any type of outboard motor boat. Occasionally, however, due to varying widths of the divers boat transoms, the board cannot be mounted with ease because of the danger of contouring it to a point beyond its safe elastic limit. Such a condition could easily arise, for example, when the transom is narrow. To fully accommodate its effective use, therefore, the board is so constructed that one or both of its sides may be measurably severed, thus facilitating its ease of mountability. Conventionally, however, the board may be mounted directly to the boat transom without the requirement of any modification thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the board is easily contoured about the motor 14 so as to protectively enclose same and the board is inserted into L-shaped recesses 32 in order to assist in retaining board stability.

Referring now to the hinge representations illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinge 19 of the present invention is generally of the gate-type and is shown as comprising a primary plate 36 and a secondary swivel unit 39. The plate 36 consists of a body 37 which is fastened by any suitable means, such as a nut and bolt 34, to the transom 16. Boss 56 projects laterally of the body 37 and provides the female member of a locking means, to be described more fully hereinafter. Finger 37a protrudes laterally of the body 37 and terminates in lobe 37b. Aperture 37c appears along the longitudinal axis of lobe 37b and provides the means of attachment with the secondary swivel unit 39. The unit 39 comprises a flat backing plate 42 which extends rearwardly and inwardly of the boat and is connected to the lobe 37b of the plate 37 and slides into locking engagement with the boss unit 56. Sideplate means 38 is attached to the board and gusset plates 44 provide rigid stability and strength between the members 38 and 42. A pivotal connection 40 provides a horizontal pivot axis about which the board 10 is allowed to freely oscillate.

The locking means of the present invention can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 and is shown as comprising a locking screw 50 mounted into a reinforced portion of the wall of backing plate 42 and consisting essentially of a handle 50 and a threaded shaft 54. The female portion of the locking means is generally designated by the reference character 56 and is shown mounted laterally of the body 37 of primary plate 36 such that bifurcated flanges of the body 56 define an entryway 58 and a threaded recess 60 which projects medially of the flanges into Jody 37. When the board is oriented in its downwardly resting location, it may be desirable, such as when the boat is moored or berthed, to lock the board securely to prevent movement thereof. In such a situation, the board 10 is pivotally dropped to its lowest position such that the backing plate 42 of the secondary unit 39 rests snugly against the primary plate 36. The male locking member 50 may then be threadably registered into its cooperable female member 56.

Occasionally, it may be desirable to retain the board'in an upward resting position, This may particularly be the case when operating the boat in claim waters or when traveling on the highway. This is easily accomplished as depicted in FIG. 8, by pivoting the board 10 vertically about its fulcrum point 40 until the board is directly over the motor housing 14. This would, of course, be most desirable when operating the boat in calm waters. When traveling on the highway, however, experience has shown that the board 10 will not remain in its upward elevated position, but rather will freely swing downwardly into its resting position, as described hereinabove. it is desirable, then, to utilize a bracket member 62. FIG. 7 clearly illustrates the member which comprises a body portion 64 and two leg members 66, 68 which extend laterally of the body 64 and in opposite directions thereof. The leg 66 has threaded passage means which extends axially and longitudinally through the leg, while leg 68 has a threaded aperture which extends transversely through the leg. Screw means 70 is threadably engageable with passage means 67 in leg member 66 and is matable with the female member 56. The aperture 69 in leg 68 mates with the screw member 50 mounted in the backing plate 42 of the secondary unit 39. The use of bracket 64 .vill retain the board 10 in an upward resting position at approximately obtuse angle dimensions relative to the rake of the transom 16.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict an eyelet member 71 which is mounted to the board 10 for towing purposes. The eyelet is generally T-shaped and comprises a body 72 and an ear 74 integrally formed therewith. A smooth bored aperture 76 has been drilled transversely through the center of the car 74. Passage means 78, 80 extend axially through flanges 79, 81 which extend laterally of the body 72. The eyelet member is connected to the board 10 through suitable fastening means 82. The member 71 may be used for towing purposes and is specifically intended to pull one or more skiers. Two eyelet being utilized for towing purposes, while at the same time the shaft (not shown) ofthe motor 14 should strike an underwater object, the board 10 will easily pivot upwardly along with corresponding upward displacement of the motor 14. If the eyelet member were mounted on the top of the board 10, then, free upward movement may be hindered, thereby resulting in possible damage to the board.

Most boatsmen provide a descriptive and appropriate name for their craft. All states, moreover, have a licensing program where a number is customarily ascribed to the owner. The board 10 provides a suitable place whereby either or both of the above may be mounted.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects abovestated, it will be appreciated that the board 10 of the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope or fair meaning of the subjoincd claims.

What I claim is:

1. An accessory for an outboard motor boat having a transom, said accessory comprising a sheetlike board of greater width than height and of greater height than thickness; a pair of hinges having first portions fastened to the opposite sides of the transom, second portions inclined rearwardly and inwardly toward one another and a horizontal pivotal connection between said portions, means fastening the opposite ends of said board directly to said hinge second portions and thereby holding said board in a rearwardly bowed configuration whereby said board protectively encloses a motor mounted on the transom and obstructs the movement of waves toward the transom from the rear thereof.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is in a generally flat orientation prior to mounting thereof and possesses inherently flexible characteristics such that said board is easily bent about said motor for attachment with said transom.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board has a greater height in the midsection than the edges thereof, the space formed thereby providing clearance such that the board is not damaged when said boat banks in a turn.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is constructed ofa fiberboard material.

5. The invention as set forth in claim I wherein said board has affixed thereto rearwardly visible indicia mounted on the surface thereof.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is bent to an arcuate configuration in one plane only.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of said board are of a uniform height.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinges include means for downwardly locking said board.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein means is provided for lockingly engaging said board in an upward orientation.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means comprises a bracket member.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge can be effectively mounted on any angular rake surface of said transom.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower edge of said board is engaged by said motor when said motor displaces upwardly.

13. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said board has connected thereto at least one eyelet member. 

1. An accessory for an outboard motor boat having a transom, said accessory comprising a sheetlike board of greater width than height and of greater height than thickness; a pair of hinges having first portions fastened to the opposite sides of the transom, second portions inclined rearwardly and inwardly toward one another and a horizontal pivotal connection between said portions, means fastening the opposite ends of said board directly to said hinge second portions and thereby holding said board in a rearwardly bowed configuration whereby said board protectively encloses a motor mounted on the transom and obstructs the movement of waves toward the transom from the rear thereof.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is in a generally flat orientation prior to mounting thereof and possesses inherently flexible characteristics such that said board is easily bent about said motor for attachment with said transom.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board has a greater height in the midsection than the edges thereof, the space formed thereby providing clearance such that the board is not damaged when said boat banks in a turn.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is constructed of a fiberboard material.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board has affixed thereto rearwardly visible indicia mounted on the surface thereof.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said board is bent to an arcuate configuration in one plane only.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of said board are of a uniform height.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinges include means for downwardly locking said board.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein means is provided for lockingLy engaging said board in an upward orientation.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means comprises a bracket member.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge can be effectively mounted on any angular rake surface of said transom.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower edge of said board is engaged by said motor when said motor displaces upwardly.
 13. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said board has connected thereto at least one eyelet member. 